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South African small businesses are going online due to the COVID-19 pandemic
6 April 2020
Most businesses rely entirely on face-to-face contact and have been forced to close their doors as a response to the 21-day lockdown. COVID-19 has the potential to cripple small businesses around the world. Early estimates suggest that this pandemic could cost South Africa about R200 million and 1000 jobs within the tourism industry alone.
An alternative to face-to-face.
Before the lockdown came into effect, many international events, from concerts to music festivals and sports events, have been cancelled to implement social distancing. Social distancing increased as the government’s lockdown came into effect. Small businesses have been hit the hardest as many rely entirely on face-to-face contact but, many are turning towards offering their products or services online, eliminating any need for physical contact. This is how some South Africans are trying their best to generate an income.
Creative professionals offer online courses.
Artists, photographers and others in the creative industry are also facing uncertain times, but some have used the closure of galleries and cancellation of shoots to monetise their skillsets through offering online courses. These include learning platforms like Skillshare or video sharing websites such as YouTube – which either pay commission or allow users to monetise videos with third-party advertising.
Local musicians go online.
Musicians are also trying to figure out their next moves and many are now offering online performances – some free and others on a ticketed basis. The online platform, Busqr was set up by South African musician and industry devotee Jon Savage. Busqr allows musicians to sign up, sell tickets for live, home-based performances, presumably streamed from their living room, keeping 95% of the profits.
The South African jazz musician, Mandisi is streaming living room sessions for R100 a ticket – the set he and his band had planned for the cancelled Cape Town International Jazz Festival. A group of Afrikaans musicians also performed a live streaming concert called “Afrikaans Gaan Global” and a long list of international artists are launching similar projects.
Online health and fitness.
Several gyms and yoga studios have also quickly reinvented themselves with online classes to continue generating an income during the lockdown. Classes are either streamed live in a group setting or pre-recorded and can be followed at any time of the day. Tools such as Zoom, paired with online payment systems like PayPal and even SnapScan, are now the go-to products for most studios.
Originally written by Andrew Thompson, Business Insider SA
